You may soon need to get NMC licence for your pets, cattle

Nagpur: Animal lovers will have to shell out money for keeping dogs, cats and cattle. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is coming up with bylaws for mandatory registration and issuance of licenses for domestic and pet animals. “As per the new bylaws, citizens will require NMC’s nod to keep domestic animals in their house,” said deputy municipal commissioner Dr Pradip Dasarwar.
The draft bylaws have been prepared under provisions of section 376 of Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act (business licenses and animal husbandry and other permits for certain units) and rule 22 (animal husbandry and destruction) of Schedule ‘D’ Bye-Law 2020 has been prepared. “The new bylaws will require tagging of all animals — cow, buffalo, cats and dogs,” said NMC veterinary officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle.
License and written permission will be given for keeping and transporting animals in the area within the municipal limits. This by-law for citizens is available at https://www.nmcnagpur.gov.in/vsnmc/
“Objections and suggestions have been invited from the citizens online and the department will consider them while preparing final draft before taking approval from the state government,” he said.
The draft rule says permission of the municipal commissioner will be required for keeping or transporting any animals in the city. Also, persons who already been keeping or transporting animals will have to apply for licence within 90 days from the date of enactment of the new rule. Permission will be denied if citizens default on requisite fees. “It will be mandatory to renew the permit before it expires. Failure to do so will result in late fee per day otherwise the license will be revoked,” said Dr Mahalle.
Penalties will also be levied on persons violating provisions. Person concerned can be fined up to Rs5,000 for each violation, and if the violation continues, a fine of Rs1,000 each day for the first seven days, Rs3,000 for the next seven days and Rs5,000 per day for the next seven days will be levied. If the penalty is not paid within the prescribed time, it will be recovered by including it in the property tax.
If an animal is found defecating in public place like roads, footpaths, playgrounds, the owner can be fined Rs500 for the first offence and Rs1,000 for the second, the rule suggests. The department can file a case against them to revoke the municipal license and harming the health of citizens.
Permission will be required for tagging animals as well as microchipping dogs and cats. The cost will have to be borne by the animal owners. The corporation can take possession of animals that are not tagging or chipped.
Permission will be required under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act, 1966 for construction of cattle sheds too. Also, if more than 10 animals are kept, permission of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board will be needed, the draft rules state.
The NMC will also impose additional fees for disposal of cow dung. The bylaw also stipulates that the licensee will have to arrange for cleaning of the premises, firefighting equipment and disposal of excreta.